HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 cc132-3W
Mr. John M. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if membership of(a) English Heritage or (b) the National Trust is a bar to appointment as a planning inspector; and what are the reasons for these arrangements. [90394]

Mr. Raynsford

(a) Yes; English Nature has a statutory function in the planning process, and is involved in a large number of planning cases. It has been felt that membership might bring into question the requirement that Planning Inspectors should be fair, open and impartial, but at my request this policy is now under review.

(b) No; because the National Trust plays no customary part in the development control process. Membership by Planning Inspectors would be unlikely to call into question the requirement that they should be open, fair and impartial.